The Imperative of Quality Education for Nigeria’s Progress – Obi, Ezekwesili
Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili famously known as Oby Ezekwesili emphasized the critical need for quality and affordable education to ensure Nigeria keeps pace with global advancements. Speaking at the 2024 graduation ceremony of Nexford University (NXU) in Lagos, both leaders warned that the country’s exclusion from the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution and other emerging technologies could have dire consequences for future generations.
Peter Obi, the keynote speaker, criticized past leadership failures, stating that Nigeria must prioritize education to prepare its youth for the modern workforce. He highlighted the transformative role of AI, robotics, and other technologies, calling education a non-negotiable priority. “The issue of providing quality education is not a matter of possibility—it’s a must,” he said, urging leaders to embrace change despite its challenges.
Ezekwesili commended Nexford University for providing Nigerians access to globally competitive education and stressed the importance of preparing youths for global competition. She underscored AI’s revolutionary potential, recounting discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where it was noted that AI could solve century-long problems in just a decade. She questioned Nigeria’s readiness to integrate such advancements into its development plans.
Fadl Al Tarzi, CEO of NXU, praised the resilience of Nigerian students and the university’s success in equipping them with globally relevant skills. He noted that 75% of students achieved their career goals through Nexford and announced plans for geographic expansion in 2025 to grow the university’s global community.
The event also celebrated the academic excellence of Oluwasegun Anuoluwapo Ogundiran, the Class of 2024 Valedictorian, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 CGPA. Nexford Country Director, Oghogho Inneh, highlighted the diverse programs offered, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with a special mention of the newly introduced MSE program.
Source: allafrica News
